Herbs are both ornamental and practical additions to any home garden.  Many have the tendency to spread, and some spread very vigorously, so when you build an herb garden, plan accordingly and make sure they cannot easily escape their enclosure.  When it comes time to harvest your herbs, you can dry them in a couple of different ways, and they will keep for up to one year with no loss of flavor if stored properly.

Hanging
Bundle a small handful of herb stalks together, tie with a ribbon or rubber band, and hang upside down in a dark but well-ventilated area.  The drying process can take a couple of weeks, but the slow drying process requires no extra energy, and if you hang them in an out of the way place, you can leave them there until you need them.

Dehydrator
If you have a food dehydrator, simply spread the leaves across the dehydrator trays and dry at the lowest setting.  The heat can cause some nutrient loss, but this loss should be minimal.  The dried leaves can be stored in a tightly sealed jar in a dark place to last for up to a year. 

In some cases, stored dry herbs can last much longer.  When you start to notice the smell is not so potent when you open the container, it may be time to replace them.

Drying your own herbs is a great way to learn more about plants, have more control over where your food comes from, and enjoy the peace and satisfaction of working with plants.